Marcelo Morales

About Me

Ph.D. student in Computer Science & Engineering at The Ohio State University with a focus on blockchain security, smart contract analysis, and malware detection. Experienced in full-stack development, agile collaboration, and academic publishing.

Education

The Ohio State University

Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering | Columbus, OH
Aug 2022 – May 2028

  • Advisor: Dr. Carter Yagemann
  • Member of World 3 Cybersecurity Innovations Lab (W3CIL)

Ohio University

B.S. in Computer Science | Athens, OH
Aug 2018 – May 2022

  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude
  • Honors Tutorial College
  • Advisor: Dr. Harsha Chenji
  • Independent Studies: Blockchain, DSP, Network-on-Chip, Security, Advanced Problem Solving

Work Experience

The Ohio State University

Graduate Teaching Assistant | Columbus, OH
Aug 2022 – May 2023, Jan 2025 – Present

  • Helped teach C++ Programming and Information Security courses
  • Delivered a lecture on Information Security
  • Held office hours, graded exams/labs, and simplified complex concepts for students

Graduate Research Assistant | Columbus, OH
May 2023 – Dec 2024

  • Built agent-based simulations for detecting smart contract vulnerabilities
  • Applied ML techniques to identify oracle manipulation risks
  • Peer reviewer for IEEE S&P and USENIX Security

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Software Engineer Intern | Columbus, OH
Jun 2022 – Aug 2022

  • Built AutoTune, a Java Spring Boot API using DynamoDB
  • Created React UI for vendor data access
  • Automated CI/CD with Jenkins and Terraform
  • Performance tested using JMeter
  • Documented the system in Confluence
  • Skills: Java, React, AWS, Jenkins, Terraform, JMeter

Software Engineer Intern | Columbus, OH
Jun 2021 – Aug 2021

  • Developed voice recognition API integrations
  • Conducted testing using Postman, JUnit, Splunk, Mockito
  • Managed Jira boards, Scrum meetings, and Sprint demos
  • Skills: Java, Python, Oracle SQL, AWS, Postman, Splunk

Publications

Your Exploit is Mine: Instantly Synthesizing Counterattack Smart Contract

Zhuo Zhang, Zhiqiang Lin, Marcelo Morales, Xiangyu Zhang, Kaiyuan Zhang

32nd USENIX Security Symposium (USENIX Security ’23)
Anaheim, CA — 2023
🔗 Read more

  • Introduced STING, a method for real-time synthesis of counterattack smart contracts, enabling automated defenses against blockchain exploits.

Projects

Burnyard — The Ohio State University

Jan 2025 – Present

  • Created a lightweight dynamic malware analysis system deployable on Raspberry Pi
  • Achieved 96.1% accuracy; 50× faster detection than traditional sandboxes
  • Presented at West Point
  • Skills: Malware Analysis, Linux, Machine Learning

Slytherin — The Ohio State University

Jan 2024 – May 2024

  • Developed Solidity range analysis tool combining Slither and Echidna
  • Identified real vulnerabilities in Code4rena challenges
  • Skills: Solidity, Python, Slither, Echidna

Proofmatic — Ohio University

Aug 2021 – May 2022

  • Led as Scrum Master and full-stack developer
  • Integrated LaTeX and Coq IDEs for a proof-learning web app
  • Skills: Node.js, TypeScript, React, LaTeX, Coq

CatMap — Ohio University

Aug 2019 – Dec 2019

  • Built indoor navigation app for campus building navigation
  • Designed UI and implemented real-time routing
  • Skills: Java, Android

Technical Skills

Programming

C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Solidity, TypeScript, React

Tools & Platforms

Linux, Bash/Zsh, Git, LaTeX (Overleaf/R Markdown), AWS, Jenkins, Terraform, Docker

Soft Skills

Teamwork, Time Management, Problem-Solving, Public Speaking

Achievements

  • 🥈 2nd Place – Revolution UC Hackathon (Kubernetes Server Manager), 2020
  • 🌱 Best Environmental Hack – Hackaplachia, Ohio University, 2019

Languages

  • Spanish – Native Proficiency
  • English – Bilingual Proficiency

References available upon request.